Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s call for a greater emphasis on preventative healthcare in South Africa is both welcome and crucial to the sustainability of the current healthcare system; it is only through embarking on such measures that the Gover
According to Graham Anderson, Principal Officer at Profmed, the medical scheme that caters exclusively for graduate professionals, preventative healthcare and services such as immunisations, screenings, as well as active lifestyle choices such as education on exercise and diet are specific measures aimed at preventing major illness. “The current healthcare system in South Africa – both private and public - is becoming increasingly overburdened by the rise in lifestyle diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes and heart disease, which not only increases the cost of healthcare but also results in a huge increase in cases, thereby leading to longer waiting lists.”
“This rise in lifestyle diseases needs to be dealt with urgently if NHI is to be successful. The fact is that state facilities are not able to cope with the current level of diseases and if these continue to increase as a result of poor lifestyles, the state system will need to be expanded exponentially to cope with the demand. However, with the Government having to focus on upgrading and improving the existing facilities there is unlikely to be the finances to expand facilities in the public health system,” says Anderson.
Given this, Anderson says, there needs to be a concerted effort by all key stakeholders such as industry associations and the Department of Health, towards educating and training the general public on the need for preventative healthcare measures. “Any effort in this regard clearly has to be run from the very top but also filtered down to individual communities so that it can work in specific local contexts. While it is not commonly known, the reality is that the prevalence of certain diseases in rural areas can be very different to those that are more prevalent in urban areas.”
“It is crucial that any efforts work at a grassroots level in rural communities, where accessing a healthcare facility may be problematic due to a lack of transportation or infrastructure. As a result, there needs to be a greater emphasis on opening healthcare and wellness centres in these communities to provide treatment as well as information on lifestyle diseases and how diet, exercise and preventing transmission of contagious diseases can reduce illness,” says Anderson.
In December 2011, social development NGO, Ikamva Labantu, launched the Enkululekweni Wellness Centre in the Khayelitsha township as part of its community health programme aimed at empoweringcommunities to consider preventative healthcare solutions.
Anderson says there should also be an onus on the part of large organisations to promote healthier lifestyles among staff, as well as hosting workshops and inviting medical practitioners to the offices to help educate employees. “Encouraging healthy diets either by supplying healthy meals at the canteen at a more reduced price or introducing fitness programmes can also help in reducing illness.”
“The private healthcare sector has already embarked on a number of successful incentive programmes to encourage medical scheme members to lead healthier lifestyles, such as regular exercise and a good diet. The key lessons that have been learned from these programmes, which have proven very successful, can also be used as a basis for the public sector to start trialling similar initiatives. Most medical schemes offer benefits for preventative care,” says Anderson.
“A healthier population would have myriad benefits for South Africa, by reducing the current burden on existing state facilities, as well as leading to a more active and productive workforce,” concludes Anderson.